Religion and early life Glossary

Question 1

Abortion

Answer 1

Deliberate anding the life of the unborn child

Question 2

Sancity of life

Answer 2

All life is a gift from God and is therefore sacred

Question 3

Quality of life

Answer 3

Quality of the child’s life - will it be in pain, unable to look after itself, will it be mentally disabled? Is it a life worth having?

Question 4

Viability

Answer 4

Stage at which developing foetus could survive outside the womb - improvement in medical techniques –> this has become earlier and earlier, now thought to be around 24 weeks - although some foetuses have survived from an earlier stage

Question 5

Human Fertilizaiton and Embryology Act

Answer 5

1990 Act of Parliament setting out the conditions ot be met for a termination of pregnancy

Question 6

Conception

Answer 6

Egg + sperm meet, development of life begins. Considered by many religious people to be the moment life is created

Question 7

Embryo

Answer 7

Developing egg

Question 8

Foetus

Answer 8

After 8 weeks, the developing embryo is called a foetus

Question 9

Pro-Life

Answer 9

organisations opposed to abortion

Question 10

LIFE

Answer 10

Against abortion

Question 11

SPUC

Answer 11

Against abortion

Question 12

NAC

Answer 12

National Abortion Campaign

Question 13

Marie Stopes International

Answer 13

supports woman through abortion